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Rebeccah Sanders, CEO

Rebeccah Sanders, CEO

Rebeccah stepped into her role as NRCM’s CEO in January 2023 with a strong reputation for expanding the organizational impact and reach. Fostering community and creating space for diverse voices has always been a priority for Rebeccah. This includes cultivating young leaders. Rebeccah brings more than two decades of experience in executive nonprofit management, most recently as the Chief Field and Strategy Officer of the National Audubon Society. There, she maximized the conservation impact of the organization’s 22 state and regional field offices and extensive network of nature centers and sanctuaries throughout the country. Prior to her work at National Audubon, Rebeccah was Executive Director of the Chicago Cultural Alliance, a coalition of heritage-based community organizations working together to address a broad set of civic issues such as climate change, immigration, and community planning. A past Maine resident and frequent visitor, Rebeccah began her career as the Post-Secondary Coordinator for the Maine State GEAR-UP program. Through this role, she developed a deep understanding of Maine’s communities and natural wonders as she traveled across the state, from the southern coast to the Canadian border, to increase education access for Maine’s children. In this role, she learned firsthand that building community means meeting people where they are and investing in relationships at the local level. A Fulbright recipient, Rebeccah received her BA in anthropology and environmental science from the University of Notre Dame and her MA in environmental and ecological anthropology from the University of Georgia.

 

As NRCM’s guiding presence, Rebeccah listens and works closely with NRCM’s board, staff, and members as she develops and leads the organization’s vision for lasting impact and broader inclusion across the state, welcoming all who share a passion for Maine’s great outdoors and a desire to work together to protect it.

NRCM CEO Rebeccah SandersRebeccah brings more than two decades of experience in executive nonprofit management, most recently as the Chief Field and Strategy Officer of the National Audubon Society, where she maximized the conservation impact of the organization’s 22 state and regional field offices and extensive network of nature centers and sanctuaries throughout the country.

Prior to her work at National Audubon, Rebeccah was the inaugural executive director of the Chicago Cultural Alliance, a coalition of heritage-based community organizations working together to leverage community voices for cultural change and to address a broad set of civic issues such as climate change, immigration, and community planning. A past Maine resident and frequent visitor, Rebeccah began her career as the Post-Secondary Coordinator for the Maine State GEAR-UP program. Through this role she developed a deep understanding of Maine’s communities and natural wonders as she traveled across the state, from the southern coast to the Canadian border, to increase education access for Maine’s children.

A Fulbright recipient, Rebeccah received her BA in anthropology and environmental science from the University of Notre Dame and her MA in environmental and ecological anthropology from the University of Georgia. As she and her family decide where to set down more permanent roots, Rebeccah and her dog Rex are currently settling in along Maine’s midcoast.

Favorite Maine Place: Acadia National Park

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chunky Monkey

Dog or Cat Person? Both! Including the intrepid Rex and a clowder of cats at any given time

Quote: “Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you” – RBG

Why I Do This Work

“I do this work because I believe in the right to a beautiful and healthy environment. For everyone. Everywhere.”